Should Religion Be A Part of Public School Education? Perhaps no aspect of the church-state controversy arouses more emotion and discussion then the subject of prayer in the public schools. Public schools are supported with taxpayer money. What believer would want his taxes to support an institution that prohibits his children from praying? What nonbeliever would want his taxes to support an institution that requires his children to participate in prayer? The First Amendment protects …showed first 75 words of 806 total…

…showed last 75 words of 806 total…supported by all taxpayers, and therefore should be free of religious observances and coercion. It is the sacred duty of parents and churches to instill religious beliefs, free from government dictation. Institutionalizing prayers in public schools usurps the rights of parents. School prayer proponents mistake government neutrality toward religion as hostility. History shows that religious beliefs have flourished in this country not in spite of but because of the constitutional separation of church and state.